Alex McCarthy Turned Down Deadline Day Move to Liverpool

New Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Alex McCarthy turned down the chance to join Liverpool before moving to Loftus Road from Reading on transfer deadline day.

The England Under-21 international moved to newly promoted Rangers in the twilight of the summer transfer window after being monitored by a host of big-name clubs.

Liverpool were reportedly among the sides chasing his signature but instead of reuniting with ex-Reading manager Brendan Rodgers, McCarthy has opted to move to QPR where he starts as understudy to No.1 Rob Green.

"I would say I knew about it [the transfer] about a week before the move," he said. "You hear speculation and rumours but I was aware [of QPR's interest] a week before. I sat down with my agent and spoke about it and here we are now.

"I've known Brendan for a while when he managed at Reading. I didn't work with him an awful lot there because I went out on loan but I ended up going down the road with QPR - still being young I see myself playing a bit more under Harry [Redknapp].

"Obviously Brendan has gone to Liverpool and has done wonders there. He's brought through a number of young players there and obviously they're playing in the England squad now. It was a tough decision.

"It was probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my career but it's a decision that I'll stick by. QPR are a massive club and I wanted to put pen to paper with them."

Though McCarthy did work infrequently with Rodgers during the pair's spell together at the Madejski Stadium, the Northern Irish boss was first drawn to the 24 year old's talent in the Premier League stalemate between the two sides in 2013.

McCarthy made 10 saves against a Liverpool team boasting Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard, a performance which saw Rodgers afterwards predict the stopper will one day play for England.

"I know Alex well. He's genuinely going to be a top, top keeper and to perform like that having been out for so long was absolutely staggering," Rodgers added.

"He has all the qualities to be a top, top keeper - he's 6'5", makes good saves, is good on his feet and is very calm and assured despite being very young.

"In terms of England it will be hard because Joe Hart is one of the top five keepers in world football, so it will be very difficult for him because Joe is still very young. But there's no doubt he's a top talent."

The former Leeds United and Ipswich Town loanee was called into the England squad for the friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil in 2013, but after failing to feature in either game has not since been considered by manager Roy Hodgson.